2 answers
William
Student
Holliston, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
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What is a day in the life of a mechanical engineer like?
Describe a typical work day. What should I expect? What can outside of the typical classes to help better prepare myself for the workforce?
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2 answers
Jim Salyers
Industrial Maintenance Technician
1
Answer
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Jim’s Answer
A typical day for me being a mechanical engineer really depends on where you work, but here’s a general idea:
Mornings usually start with a team meeting to catch up on what everyone’s working on and talk through any issues. After that, most of the day is spent working on designs using software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. You might also be doing calculations or testing ideas to make sure things will work in real life.
Problem-solving is a big part of the job. That could mean fixing something that broke, figuring out how to make something better, or testing out a prototype. There's also usually some time spent writing up what you’ve done so others can follow along or report progress to a manager.
Not everything happens at a desk either. Depending on the job, you might be out on a factory floor, in a lab running tests, or even visiting a job site.
To get ready outside of class, try doing hands-on projects (like robotics or car clubs), learning software tools engineers use, or getting internships. Soft skills like teamwork and communication are also super helpful, even if they don’t seem like “engineering” at first.
Don't be afraid to challenge anything you think is right.....
Mornings usually start with a team meeting to catch up on what everyone’s working on and talk through any issues. After that, most of the day is spent working on designs using software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. You might also be doing calculations or testing ideas to make sure things will work in real life.
Problem-solving is a big part of the job. That could mean fixing something that broke, figuring out how to make something better, or testing out a prototype. There's also usually some time spent writing up what you’ve done so others can follow along or report progress to a manager.
Not everything happens at a desk either. Depending on the job, you might be out on a factory floor, in a lab running tests, or even visiting a job site.
To get ready outside of class, try doing hands-on projects (like robotics or car clubs), learning software tools engineers use, or getting internships. Soft skills like teamwork and communication are also super helpful, even if they don’t seem like “engineering” at first.
Don't be afraid to challenge anything you think is right.....
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
87
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi William,
Mechanical engineers work in many industries: aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, transport, energy, services etc. They occupy roles in production, maintenance, utilities, design, projects, research and development, consultancy etc. These roles can be technical, managerial, leadership - an engineer can be involved in all of them at one go. Therefore, a mechanical engineer's daily routines are greatly influenced by both their specific role and position.
As Engineering/Maintenance Manager in Food & Beverage sector, my routine activities are covered in a weekly, monthly, quarterly & annual plans - in practice, plans cascade from annual to quarterly to monthly to weekly and finally to daily activities depending on their frequencies.
Usually, my day would start at 06h00 in the morning with a walkabout on the shop-floor talking to operators, technicians and team leaders on shift to have a feel of how the night went.
I would then have a meeting with the maintenance crew at 07h00 to review the previous day: successes, challenges, review & update of action logs and issues that require escalation. I'll then attend a general safety meeting at 08h00. The plant review meeting occurs at 10h00. The rest of the activities vary from one day to another.
On maintenance days, my daily routines are kept to a minimum as visibility of the maintenance leadership is required - this is important for technical support and quick decision making in the event of break-ins and variations in the maintenance plan.
The Engineering/Maintenance Manager is also the custodian of engineering standards (technical, regulatory & best practices)
As head of engineering, I also doubled as projects manager.
At the operational level, the head of engineering ensures that relevant targets specified in goals are met. The department runs with a wide range of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that fall in broad areas such as: Productivity, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Safety & Morale.
Business processes are required to guide the work of engineers in this environment:
1) Strategy formulation
2) Maintenance program development
3) Problem Solving
4) Change Management
5) Inventory Management
6) Information Management
7) Work Management
8) Tools & Workshop facilities
9) Competence of engineering staff
As a result of the above processes, engineers are increasingly required to take up HR responsibilities: recruitment, learning & development, performance management, talent management etc.
As a student, Internships are critical as they provide opportunities for hands-on experience and application of theoretical Knowledge. Students also pick critical skills during these internships: analytical, problem solving, leadership, planning, communication skills and ability to work in teams.
Working alongside professionals is an opportunity for mentorship and guidance.
Membership in professional associations is equally important as they provide exposure to professional standards, regulations and best practices. These associations also publish journals on the latest innovations and developments. They include:
a) American Society of Mechanical Engineers
b) Institution of Mechanical Engineers
To succeed, important personality traits are essential: commitment, diligence, passion, perseverance etc.
Mechanical engineers work in many industries: aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, transport, energy, services etc. They occupy roles in production, maintenance, utilities, design, projects, research and development, consultancy etc. These roles can be technical, managerial, leadership - an engineer can be involved in all of them at one go. Therefore, a mechanical engineer's daily routines are greatly influenced by both their specific role and position.
As Engineering/Maintenance Manager in Food & Beverage sector, my routine activities are covered in a weekly, monthly, quarterly & annual plans - in practice, plans cascade from annual to quarterly to monthly to weekly and finally to daily activities depending on their frequencies.
Usually, my day would start at 06h00 in the morning with a walkabout on the shop-floor talking to operators, technicians and team leaders on shift to have a feel of how the night went.
I would then have a meeting with the maintenance crew at 07h00 to review the previous day: successes, challenges, review & update of action logs and issues that require escalation. I'll then attend a general safety meeting at 08h00. The plant review meeting occurs at 10h00. The rest of the activities vary from one day to another.
On maintenance days, my daily routines are kept to a minimum as visibility of the maintenance leadership is required - this is important for technical support and quick decision making in the event of break-ins and variations in the maintenance plan.
The Engineering/Maintenance Manager is also the custodian of engineering standards (technical, regulatory & best practices)
As head of engineering, I also doubled as projects manager.
At the operational level, the head of engineering ensures that relevant targets specified in goals are met. The department runs with a wide range of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that fall in broad areas such as: Productivity, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Safety & Morale.
Business processes are required to guide the work of engineers in this environment:
1) Strategy formulation
2) Maintenance program development
3) Problem Solving
4) Change Management
5) Inventory Management
6) Information Management
7) Work Management
8) Tools & Workshop facilities
9) Competence of engineering staff
As a result of the above processes, engineers are increasingly required to take up HR responsibilities: recruitment, learning & development, performance management, talent management etc.
As a student, Internships are critical as they provide opportunities for hands-on experience and application of theoretical Knowledge. Students also pick critical skills during these internships: analytical, problem solving, leadership, planning, communication skills and ability to work in teams.
Working alongside professionals is an opportunity for mentorship and guidance.
Membership in professional associations is equally important as they provide exposure to professional standards, regulations and best practices. These associations also publish journals on the latest innovations and developments. They include:
a) American Society of Mechanical Engineers
b) Institution of Mechanical Engineers
To succeed, important personality traits are essential: commitment, diligence, passion, perseverance etc.